Hartford Residents Invited To Build A Disaster Kit To Prepare Their Families

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August 12, 2013|Julia Reusch, Allstate Insurance Company, Hartford

What constitutes a disaster? Certainly hurricanes, tornadoes and wild fires are disasters, but disasters also include events like extended power blackouts, house fires or floods. Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, with little or no warning, but it is possible to be prepared for them. Research from the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that 85 percent of Americans are not prepared for potential disasters, which inspired The Allstate Foundation and Points of Light to bring Good & Ready, an online and on-the-ground emergency preparedness program, to Hartford to help families and the community prepare for disasters.

On Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the 28th Annual Family Day at Keney Park, Hartford-residents are invited to assemble 400 free disaster preparedness kits to take home for their families. While supplies last, the kits will include a hand-crank radio/flashlight, water bottle, dust mask, garbage bags and hand sanitizing wipes, among other items.

"This Good & Ready event is about helping people be more prepared for life's uncertainties," said Julia Reusch, Allstate spokesperson. "Everyone in Hartford can take simple steps to get prepared for a disaster, including spending a few minutes to build a kit that could be invaluable in the case of an emergency."

Good & Ready is supported by The Allstate Foundation and Points of Light, working in partnership with Ready.gov, the American Red Cross and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. The Allstate Foundation's involvement in the program is part of its new SaferLivesSM program, which provides important safety information to help people be aware of the risks in their lives and protect themselves and their loved ones.